The 158^th Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets June 6 will once again carry a special designation in the Triple Crown history books, as for the third consecutive year it will be held at historic Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York while Belmont Park puts finishing touches on a massive reconstruction project. In 2027, the Belmont Stakes is scheduled to return to a new facility and the same “Big Sandy” dirt surface and 1 ½-mile distance that is part of the race’s identity.

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For this year, however, the Belmont Stakes will again be contested at 1 ¼ miles due to Saratoga’s shorter track configuration, and the $2 million, Grade 1 event will anchor a five-day festival of racing at “the Spa” that runs from June 3-7 and features several other prominent stakes, including three qualifying races for this fall’s Breeders’ Cup.

The 2026 Belmont will not lack for star power as the top two finishers in the May 2 Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve – Golden Tempo and Renegade – are slated for a rematch. They’ll compete against a handful of other Derby starters along with some new shooters in what should be a good betting race and an important one in determining the top-rated horses in the 3-year-old division heading into summer.

The Belmont Stakes will be broadcast nationwide live on FOX during a 4 ½-hour show produced by the NYRA team responsible for the popular “Saratoga Live” and “America’s Day at the Races” programs, with a post time to be announced.

Get information on all of the Belmont Stakes contenders plus gambling insights in our official Cheat Sheet, and check back on the evening of June 1 after the Belmont draw for an updated article with contenders listed in post-position order and with morning-line odds added.

Eclipse Sportswire

Chief Wallabee

Jockey: Junior Alvarado

Trainer: Bill Mott

Owners: Michael Ball and Katherine Ball

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 1 third

Career earnings: $466,600

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99

Pedigree: Constitution – A La Lucie, by Medaglia d’Oro

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Chief Wallabee projects to be one of the top two or three betting choices in the Belmont Stakes and could carry lower post-time odds than Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve winner Golden Tempo despite finishing fourth and three lengths behind that rival May 2 at Churchill Downs. He was the 7.31-1 fifth betting choice in Derby 152 based on a fine trio of efforts at Gulfstream Park in Florida to kick off his racing career, including a runner-up finish by a neck behind Commandment in the Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes and a third-place finish to Commandment and The Puma in the Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa when beaten by a half-length. In the Kentucky Derby, Chief Wallabee made his stretch rally at about the same time as Golden Tempo and runner-up Renegade did, but unlike that pair that closed in the center of the track, he took aim several positions closer to the rail and was knocked off stride when Ocelli, also closing, shifted left and caused a chain reaction of bumping. Chief Wallabee recovered and finished well, just nipping Japan’s Danon Bourbon for fourth while two lengths behind third-place Ocelli. Now, the well-bred Constitution colt has been training steadily at Saratoga for the Belmont and could be primed for a career-best race in only his fifth career start. He figures to get a much better trip against this smaller field and should be right in the mix late under regular rider Junior Alvarado. Alvarado and Mott teamed to win last year’s Belmont with eventual Horse of the Year Sovereignty.

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Eclipse Sportswire

Commandment

Jockey: John Velazquez

Trainer: Brad Cox

Owner: Wathnan Racing

Career record: 6 starts – 4 firsts – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $1,017,339

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Sippican Harbor, by Orb

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker/closer

Analysis: Commandment comes into the Belmont as an intriguing contender who will attempt to rebound from a seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve where he was jostled in the stretch by Ocelli when attempting to rally from off of the pace. He did not quit after the incident (which also affected Chief Wallabee) and checked in 5 ¼ lengths behind Golden Tempo as the 6.18-1 fourth betting choice. Prior to the Kentucky Derby, the Into Mischief colt won four races in a row dating to last fall, including three stakes races at Gulfstream Park topped by the March 28 Curlin Florida Derby Presented by Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa held at 1 1/8 miles. He rallied from off of the pace in all three stakes wins and projects to attempt a similar come-from-behind strategy in the Belmont Stakes with Hall of Fame jockey and two-time Belmont winner John Velazquez in the saddle for the first time. The Belmont’s 1 ¼-mile distance should be right in his wheelhouse and Commandment might go off at appealing post-time odds due to the presence of potentially four horses in this race that finished in front of him in the Kentucky Derby. A bounce-back effort should put him right in the mix during the stretch run at Saratoga.

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Eclipse Sportswire

Emerging Market

Jockey: Flavien Prat

Trainer: Chad Brown

Owner: Klaravich Stables

Career record: 3 starts – 2 wins – 0 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $618,880

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 96

Pedigree: Candy Ride – Wild Empress, by Empire Maker

Color: Chestnut

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Emerging Market was somewhat of a “buzz” horse during the training leading up to this year’s Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and was sent off in the Derby at 8.78-1 odds despite having only two prior races (both wins). He enjoyed a relatively trouble-free trip on May 2, settling in fifth and well within range of the early pacesetters while saving ground, and during the far turn a hole opened up along the inside right in front of him, presenting what seemed to be a golden opportunity to move up and engage leaders Danon Bourbon and So Happy. The Candy Ride colt came up empty when asked by jockey Flavien Prat, however, and backed up in the stretch to finish 10^th of 18 starters. He had shown impressive maturity and talent in his first two starts, wins in a one-mile and 70-yard maiden race at Tampa Bay Downs over Powershift and then managing a big class jump to take the 1 3/16-mile Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds. Perhaps attempting to win the Kentucky Derby off of those preps was too big a hurdle, but trainer Chad Brown is showing confidence once again in the colt by running him back in the Belmont. His pedigree is good for handling 1 ¼ miles and Prat remains aboard. A threat to finish in the top three with his best effort, but a longshot to win.

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Eclipse Sportswire

Golden Tempo

Jockey: Jose Ortiz

Trainer: Cherie DeVaux

Owners: Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stable

Career record: 5 starts – 3 wins – 0 seconds – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $3,433,000

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 100

Pedigree: Curlin – Carrumba, by Bernardini

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Golden Tempo validated in the Kentucky Derby high expectations about his potential set last winter, putting it all together at the ideal time to win the historic race with a thrilling center-of-the-stretch rally. He was a 23.12-1 longshot in the Derby and an appealing one to many handicappers based on his excellent distance pedigree and solid race record at Fair Grounds that included a win in the Lecomte Stakes and third-place finishes in the Fasig-Tipton Risen Star Stakes and Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby. His rallying third in the 1 3/16-mile Louisiana Derby, where he moved inside late but ended up a length behind winner Emerging Market, was encouraging for his chances to handle extra distance in the Derby, and he did just that despite racing extremely wide in the stretch to outfinish Renegade, who also came from far off the pace. Golden Tempo has had five weeks to recover from his taxing Derby win and has been training well at Keeneland for Cherie DeVaux, who became the first woman to win the Kentucky Derby and could become the second to win the Belmont, after Jena Antonucci in 2023. The Derby winner always gets plenty of wagering support in his subsequent Triple Crown races, which means instead of paying off at high odds at Churchill Downs, he’ll very likely be an underlay (a horse that goes off at post-time odds that are lower than he should have) in the Belmont. Nevertheless, he’s got a solid chance at earning another Triple Crown win against this tough field and an even better shot to finish in the top three under regular (and red-hot) jockey Jose Ortiz.

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Eclipse Sportswire

Growth Equity

Jockey: Manny Franco

Trainer: Chad Brown

Owner: Klaravich Stables

Career record: 4 starts – 2 wins – 2 seconds – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $187,600

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 98

Pedigree: Nyquist – My Dear Venezuela, by Wildcat Heir

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker

Analysis: Growth Equity is arguably the wild card entrant in this year’s Belmont as he has not faced the other starters before, many of whom have built credentials competing against one another in preps for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve and/or the Derby itself. He comes into the race off of two open-length, impressive wins in New York, winning his maiden by 4 ¼ lengths in a one-mile race at Aqueduct in March and then taking the 1 1/8-mile Peter Pan Stakes by two lengths during Aqueduct’s Belmont at the Big A meet May 9. He was forwardly placed in his maiden win and was never challenged late. Growth Equity then won the Peter Pan with a stalking strip against a field that’s far less accomplished than the one he’ll face in the Belmont. Still, his Equibase Speed Figures are on an ascending pattern, and if he improves once again on June 6 he’ll be an upset threat. Perhaps his best attribute is his tactical speed, which should be an asset in a field that lacks a confirmed pacesetter. The Peter Pan-to-Belmont path has been a productive one in recent years (Tonalist in 2015, Arcangelo in 2023), and this Nyquist colt should not be overlooked. 

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Ocelli

Jockey: Tyler Gaffalione

Trainer: Whit Beckman

Owners: Ashley Durr, Anthony Tate, and Front Page Equestrian

Career record: 8 starts – 0 wins – 1 second – 4 thirds

Career earnings: $729,800

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 99

Pedigree: Connect – Zalia, by Scat Daddy

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: As of this writing on May 28, trainer Whit Beckman has not confirmed Ocelli for the Belmont Stakes but is leaning toward entering the colt. If he runs, he’ll be the only 3-year-old in 2026 to compete in all three legs of the Triple Crown, and he’ll do so as a maiden (a horse without a career victory). Ocelli moved into the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve field as an also-eligible and went off at odds of 70.50-1, the highest in the 18-horse field. For several seconds in early evening on May 2, he gave his connections an incredible thrill by charging through the Churchill Downs stretch and taking the lead under first-time rider Tyler Gaffalione. He could not sustain his rally, however, and settled for third, a length behind winner Golden Tempo. After that impressive run, Ocelli was entered in the May 16 Preakness Stakes at 1 3/16 miles, and he made up some ground late to finish fourth at Laurel Park in a race that did not set up for his closing style. It’s hard to see Ocelli earning his first career win in the Belmont, but he’s already proven capable of holding his own against the best in his age group and could fill out the trifecta and/or superfecta if he gets a fast enough pace to close into.

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Ottinho

Jockey: Dylan Davis

Trainer: Chad Brown

Owner: Three Chimneys Farm

Career record: 4 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $324,700

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 93

Pedigree: Quality Road – Quiet Giant, by Giant’s Causeway

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Ottinho earned enough points to qualify for the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve when he finished a distant second to Further Ado in the 1 1/8-mile Toyota Blue Grass Stakes April 4 at Keeneland. However, his connections decided to bypass the Derby and instead point to the Belmont, so he’ll have just over two months of rest upon his return, nearly month more than any other contender. Ottinho was never in contention in an edition of the Blue Grass that Further Ado took control of on the far turn and won by 11 lengths. He was one-paced behind that rival but had enough stamina to pass a couple of runners and claim second, and indeed, his pedigree is excellent for handling an extra furlong in the 1 ¼-mile Belmont — he’s a half-brother (same dam [mother], different sire [father]) to 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic winner and Horse of the Year Gun Runner, who has developed into an elite sire. Ottinho will need to improve by leaps and bounds to be a factor in this year’s Belmont, and his workouts since the Blue Grass have been steady and methodical, which reflects his overall running style to date. Filling out the superfecta would appear to be his ceiling against this group.

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Coady Media

Powershift

Jockey: Luis Saez

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owner: Repole Stable

Career record: 3 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 0 thirds

Career earnings: $81,896

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 91

Pedigree: Constitution – Free Flying Soul, by Quiet American

Color: Dark bay or brown

Running style: Press the pace/stalker

Analysis: Powershift joined the list of Belmont possible starters last week after breezing at Saratoga in tandem with Todd Pletcher-trained stablemate Renegade, leading Mike Repole, who also co-owns Renegade, to consider starting the lightly raced colt June 6. If he runs, he’ll team with Renegade in a bid to give Pletcher his fifth Belmont win and Repole his second as they teamed up to win the race in 2022 with Mo Donegal, co-owned by Donegal Racing. Powershift did not start until early in his 3-year-old season, when he finished second by three-quarters of a length to possible Belmont foe Emerging Market in a one-mile and 70-yard maiden race at Tampa Bay Downs. He then ran a nonthreatening sixth in the ESMARK Tampa Bay Derby held at 1 1/16 miles, but rebounded in start number three to post an impressive maiden win on the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve undercard at Churchill Downs May 2, taking a 1 1/16-mile race by 2 ¾ lengths. There’s obviously plenty of room for Powershift to improve over the rest of his 3-year-old season, but moving him from a maiden win to a start in the 1 ¼-mile Belmont is ambitious to say the least. He’s shown some natural speed so far in his career and could be a pace factor if he ends up running, perhaps setting the table for Renegade’s stretch rally.

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Renegade

Jockey: Irad Ortiz Jr.

Trainer: Todd Pletcher

Owners: Robert Low, Lawana Low, and Repole Stable

Career record: 6 starts – 2 wins – 3 seconds – 1 third

Career earnings: $2,031,500

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 107

Pedigree: Into Mischief – Spice Is Nice, by Curlin

Color: Bay

Running style: Closer

Analysis: Five weeks ago, Renegade nearly became the first horse to win the Kentucky Derby breaking from the rail (inside) post position since 1986, but he was outfinished by Golden Tempo and came up a neck short. The well-bred Into Mischief colt was the 5.65-1 second betting choice in the Derby, but he had a rough trip overall after exiting the gate, especially early when he was bumped repeatedly by two other horses and then settled well off of the early pace. Jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. was able to swing Renegade wide into the center of the stretch when the Derby field turned for home, and despite bumping another colt during his rally, he closed with a rush while joined by Golden Tempo to his outside – ridden by Irad’s brother, Jose – near the finish line. He’s since settled in at Saratoga for another crack at a mile-and-a-quarter Triple Crown race, and this time he’ll face a much smaller field, which should result in a cleaner trip. Renegade posted a visually impressive four-length win in the 1 1/8-mile Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park prior to his Kentucky Derby start and, based on his overall record to date, is one of the most talented colts in his age group. Look for him to come charging from off the pace again under Irad Ortiz, with a good chance to rally for the win in Belmont 158.

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Coady Media

Vitruvian Man

Jockey: Antonio Fresu

Trainer: Doug O’Neill

Owner: Glenn Sorgenstein WC Racing

Career record: 6 starts – 1 win – 1 second – 2 thirds

Career earnings: $142,345

Top Equibase Speed Figure: 86

Pedigree: Vino Rosso – Caradini, by Bernardini

Color: Bay

Running style: Stalker/closer

Analysis: Vitruvian Man was added to the prospective Belmont Stakes field May 27. He comes in off a distant third-place finish in the Santa Anita Derby April 4 at Santa Anita Park, where he passed a couple of tiring runners in the stretch but still ended up 9 ½ lengths behind winner So Happy and 6 ¾ lengths behind runner-up Potente. Those colts subsequently finished ninth and 12^th, respectively, in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. Prior to his stakes debut, the Vino Rosso colt had won one of five starts in Kentucky, that victory coming in October 2025 during his 2-year-old season in a 1 1/16-mile maiden race on dirt at Keeneland. The 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby was his 3-year-old debut and came after a layoff of more than three months, and now Vitruvian Man will make his second 2026 start and strech out to a mile and a quarter after a two-month break. He could improve off of his third in the Santa Anita Derby and still struggle to make an impact on the Belmont based on his race record and speed figures to date, which have plateaued at a level 15 points lower than the top contenders in this race.

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